The Great Escape Conference 2027 is taking shape. We’re proud to reveal the first organisations helping us build this year’s programme, along with our Lead Country Partner, returning charity partner and more.
The Great Escape returns to Brighton from 12–15 May 2027. Today we’re announcing the first collaborators who will help shape the conversations, ideas and debates at the heart of this year’s conference.
Joining us so far are the Council of Music Makers (CMM), BBC Introducing, Youth Music, Music Venues Alliance Brighton (MVAB), The Independent, IQ Magazine, Pollstar, PPL and BIMM University. Between them, they cover artists and creators, live music, emerging talent, music rights, education and media. Each will curate and present its own panel, bringing its expertise, connections and networks to the conference. More collaborators will be announced over the coming months.
Every year, The Great Escape Conference brings thousands of music industry professionals to Brighton for panels, keynote interviews, networking and discussion about the opportunities and challenges facing music. Last year we welcomed 4,000 delegates from 49 countries, making us one of the most international new music conferences in the world.
Nathalie von Rotz, Event Manager at The Great Escape, said: “The Great Escape is all about bringing the music industry together to share ideas, build connections and discover new opportunities. Our conference collaborators play a vital role in making that happen, bringing together expertise from across the industry, from artists and creators to live music, recorded music, media and education. We’re delighted to be working with such a fantastic group of organisations for 2027, drawing on their knowledge and networks to deliver thought-provoking discussions that tackle the biggest issues facing the music business and help shape its future.”
Germany is our 2027 Lead Country Partner
Germany will be our Lead Country Partner for 2027, and the occasion is a special one. The ZEITGEIST New German Talent Showcase celebrates its 10th anniversary at the festival this year. Since launching at The Great Escape in 2017, ZEITGEIST has given emerging German artists a platform to reach international audiences and industry professionals. In 2027, working with regional partners, the showcase will present 12 emerging artists from across Germany’s contemporary music scene.
CALM returns as our official charity partner
We’re delighted that Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) returns as our official charity partner for a second year. CALM will once again present conference sessions on music’s role in supporting mental wellbeing.
Last year CALM gave us some of the most memorable moments of the programme. These included a keynote conversation with Melanie C and a panel with Ed O’Brien and singer-songwriter Nadine Shah about the profound impact music can have on people’s lives.
Simon Gunning, CEO of CALM, said: “We’re incredibly proud and grateful to be returning to The Great Escape for a second year. CALM meets people where life happens, and music is that place. The festival gives us a vital opportunity to champion music’s power in suicide prevention, and the profound, positive impact artists and their art have on their fans.”
Find out more about CALM’s work at thecalmzone.net.
BIMM University: 13 years and counting
BIMM University returns as our Lead Education Partner for the 13th year running, continuing our shared commitment to developing the next generation of music industry talent. This year BIMM also joins our collaborator programme for the first time and will curate its own panel at the 2027 conference.
The Steve Strange Award returns
The Steve Strange Award is back for 2027. It recognises emerging artists who push creative boundaries and build meaningful connections with their fans, and the winner receives £5,000 to support their artistic development. Last year’s award went to Leeds electro-noise outfit Bathing Suits, whose explosive live shows and uncompromising sound made them one of the standout discoveries of The Great Escape 2026.
Get your delegate pass
Delegate passes and conference-only passes are on sale now. For the first time, we’re also offering discounted delegate passes for anyone aged 18–24, so it’s easier for young people starting out in music to join the conference and build their networks.
Keynote speakers, panel topics and networking opportunities will be announced in the coming months. Follow us at @greatescapefest and @thegreatescape, and join the conversation with #TGE27.